Everton football chief Marcel Brands says the board is behind manager Marco Silva.

Brands revealed that he is negotiated a contract extension for star forward Richardson. And in the only direct reference to Silva's hugely pressured position, he said the manager had to perform.

"We know in sport, as always, you have to perform - that's me, the manager, the players, for everyone.

"It's also important, especially in this Club, after a couple of years of instability, to stick together in this situation.

"I think it is important that everyone has the feeling that we can turn this around to better results."

But Brands did offer a glimmer of hope to the manager, adding: “Marco is working really hard to turn it around, and as a board we have to support that.

"Most people know that I always go to the dressing room after the game, to see how the atmosphere is.

"Of course, everyone was disappointed last Saturday but you saw also really in the eyes of the players the fire that they want to resolve this, to turn this around – together with the whole staff.

"That's important coming up towards the next couple of games. They will be tough games but games where we can improve."